Back to Blackjack
Blackjack419

why do some blackjack games restrict doubles on 11 only

never got why some places only let you double down on 11. seems like they’re just trying to squash any chance you have to get creative with the basic strategy. i get that doubling on 11 has the highest expected value, but letting players double on 9 or 10 can create more edge if the dealer’s showing a weak card. maybe the house figures most people double wrong anyway so they limit it just to 11, less risk for them.

in poker, the rules flex a little to keep things flowing, but blackjack feels like every shift just goes against players over time, especially with these rules changes. maybe it’s to speed up the game or protect against counters? or just more revenue in the margins? anyone see actual numbers on how much it shifts the house edge?

0
243Save

Discussion — 2 comments

Sort
2 comments
Z
1,020•

It’s not for counters lol, counters love when the rules are posted clean and boring. It’s for keeping bad players from feeling stupid after a double on 9/10 bricks, then they tilt and blame the game. Casinos care a lot about that vibe. I got stuck on a vegas strip blackjack table like this once, watched a guy ask “so i can only do the fun move on 11?” and still run hotter than me... Annoying as hell!!!

1
B
659•

Yeah it’s revenue in the margins, that’s the bit. Speed is basically a cover story. On live dealer especially, the 11-only tables are nearly always stapled to some other stingy rule, no DAS, weaker payouts, whatever, and that’s the tell. I used to bounce between those and the more normal games, the ploppies never notice because they’re only thinking about the one time they doubled 11 and won. House doesn’t need to kill you in one rule, just shave you 3 different ways and wait

1

You reached the end